COUNTERFEIT traders are being warned not to stock up on goods for Christmas after a Crown Court judge backed Oldham magistrates' tough stance on the problem.

COUNTERFEIT traders are being warned not to stock up on goods for Christmas after a Crown Court judge backed Oldham magistrates' tough stance on the problem.

An appeal against a three-month prison sentence recently imposed on Yun Ming Lin has been dismissed, even though he had no previous convictions.

And trading standards officers are predicting that more rogue traders face spending time in prison if caught selling their wares in Oldham in the build-up to the festive period.

Lin, of no fixed address, was arrested by police at a pub on High Street, Uppermill, on August 11.

He had been trying to sell copies of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', 'Madagascar' and other recent releases and also had a large number of pornographic and unclassified DVDs in his possession as well as illegal cigarettes.

Lin claimed that as this was his first offence and he had a relatively small amount of counterfeit goods in his possession, the sentence was excessive.

But that appeal was rejected by Judge Jeffrey Lewis at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

"After serious and anxious consideration we find the offences with which the appellant has been sentenced to be serious and that the custody threshold has been met," he said.

"The sentence imposed by the Oldham Magistrates' Court, of three months imprisonment, despite the fact that the appellant has no previous convictions, is, in the opinion of this court, a justified one."

And officials in the borough say their zero-tolerance stance will continue throughout the build-up to Christmas, utilising a new fast-track system for offenders.

Tony Allen, head of trading standards, said, "We have introduced new rapid response procedures for dealing with counterfeiting offences, which mean an offender can be arrested, charged and dealt with by the courts very quickly.

"This new procedure has already resulted in one man being sent to prison. Anyone involved in selling counterfeit goods during the coming peak season can expect to be treated in the same way."

Cllr Jeremy Sutcliffe, cabinet member for the environment said, "The council's trading Standards team has an excellent track record on coming down hard on counterfeiters and this keeps up the pressure.

"The team does this to make sure trade is not stolen from legitimate traders, protecting their businesses and the people they employ. It does it to ensure that Oldhamers get value for money by buying bona fide goods.

"This is always important, but even more so in the higher spending build up to Christmas."

The Trade Marks Act 1994, which controls counterfeiting, carries a maximum 10 years in prison or an unlimited fine.

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